1/2 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1/3 c. cocoa
1 stick butter
1 c. water
1 c. oil
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Nuts (optional)

Mix together 1/2 cup buttermilk and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Set aside. Combine flour, sugar and cocoa. In saucepan, combine 1 stick butter, 1 cup water and 1 cup oil. Boil, pour over dry ingredients. Add buttermilk, soda, 2 eggs, vanilla and nuts. Mix together. Pour into big cookie sheet or jelly roll pan (11 x 16 inches). Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Do not overbake.

FROSTING:

1 stick butter
1/3 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
4 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. cocoa

Heat butter, buttermilk and vanilla. Pour over 4 cups of powdered sugar and cocoa. Frost immediately when the bars are out of the oven.